The Los Angeles Lakers made a stunning trade for Luka Doncic before the deadline and the 26-year-old superstar has quickly endeared himself to the fans. The partnership hit a snag with a first-round playoff exit where Doncic fought through a back injury in Game 5. It was a disappointing end to year one, but now the pressure fully shifts to the franchise.
Luka led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024 and is just entering his prime. He is not happy about being bounced in the first round by a team he dominated last year. Doncic wants to win, and the Lakers need to prove to him immediately that LA is his long-term home.
The superstar is extension-eligible this offseason. If they want to lock Luka up, the Lakers must improve their roster and build a team that fits his play style.
Lakers face pressure-packed offseason to keep Luka Doncic in LA
Doncic wants a rim-rolling center to cover for his defensive warts and get easy buckets around the rim. The Lakers traded for Mark Williams before the deadline only to rescind the deal. It left LA without a trusted big man, which was backbreaking in their Game 5 loss to the Timberwolves as Rudy Gobert went for 27 points and 24 rebounds. Getting a trusted center is job one for the Lakers front office.
They cannot stop there. LA must improve their defense, shooting, and depth. The Lakers cannot afford to wait either. They need to use whatever assets are at their disposal to upgrade now. Doncic must sign an extension this summer. He is under contract through next season, but LA cannot let him enter the final year of his deal without locking him up. The flight risk is too great. Every team (except the Mavericks) would bid for number 77 if he hit the open market.
Luka averaged over 30 points per game in this year’s playoffs and sits at 30.8 in his postseason career. There is no stopping the newest Lakers superstar. Now imagine, a full-strength Doncic with a supporting cast build to maximize his skill set. LA has their number one option for the next decade-plus on their roster. The front office must immediately step up to keep him there.
Luka was upset the Mavericks traded him and showed his loyalty to his first franchise. Lakers fans can be sure he wants to have that in Los Angeles. The front office must prove to him that they will maximize the roster around him. The Lakers are a destination, but finding the right pieces is the key.
The Los Angeles Lakers immediately jump into a pressure-packed offseason after a disappointing first-round playoff exit. It is all about building around Luka Doncic now. Failure is not an option, and the franchise always pulls off something massive. Now is the perfect time for the next surprise move. It will certainly keep number 77 in LA and make the Lakers a threat for years to come. Stay tuned to see what happens next.